Bella Terra Vineyards
We were proud to feature Bella Terra Vineyards in January 2023.
Nestled amongst the sprawling vineyards of the prestigious Four Mile Creek sub-appellation, Bella Terra Vineyards sits on a 50 acre grape farm that has been tended to by the Puglisi family since 1974. The family-owned winery is headed by Luciano (Lou) Puglisi who draws on grape-growing knowledge and experience that has been handed down from one generation to the next. As you sip any one of their Bella Terra wines, you are tasting three generations of grape-growing and winemaking experience.
Lou’s enthusiasm and respect for the winemaking process, alongside his dedication and commitment to excellence, earned him the prestigious title of Grape King in 2008, awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture to the finest vineyard operator in Ontario. In celebration of Niagara’s unique topography, soils and climate they refer to their estate vineyard as BELLA TERRA or “beautiful land”.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2019 Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling, 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon
Enthusiast Red Only: 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Bella Terra Red
Enthusiast White Only: 2019 Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling, 2018 Bella Terra Chardonnay
Expert Red & White: 2019 Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling, 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Bella Terra Red
Expert Red Only: 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Bella Terra Red, 2018 Bella Terra Pinot Noir
Expert White Only: 2019 Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling, 2018 Bella Terra Chardonnay, 2020 Bella Terra Sparkling Brut
Master Red & White: 2019 Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling, 2018 Bella Terra Chardonnay, 2020 Bella Terra Sparkling Brut, 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Bella Terra Red, 2018 Bella Terra Pinot Noir
Master Red Only: 2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Bella Terra Red, 2018 Bella Terra Pinot Noir, 2020 Bella Terra Merlot, 2020 Bella Terra Cabernet Franc, 2020 Bella Terra Meritage
Tasting Notes
BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY, 2018
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Golden colour.
Nose: High toned nose of toast, spicy oak and ripe peach.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, rich on the palate. Ripe peach flavour with vanilla oak notes.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but can be held through 2024.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Chili chicken with lime and corn nachos, roasted vegetable and caramelized garlic barley risotto, baked brie on crusty bread with apricot preserves and almonds, tuna poké, and spiced apple-thyme-gouda hand pies.
BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Purple-ruby in colour, holding to the rim.
Nose: Toasty, cedary nose of blackcurrant with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, concentrated blackcurrant and plum flavours with a dark chocolate note. Well-structured, nicely integrated oak and ripe tannins. Fine mouth-feel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or through 2023-24.
Food Pairing: Beef brisket with wild mushrooms, spinach and artichoke dip with baked pita, slow cooked venison, smoked tofu teriyaki bowls, and Irish stew.
BELLA TERRA WILD FERMENT RIESLING, 2019
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 350
Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Lightly floral, spicy, honeyed grapefruit bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, unctuous mouth-feel, grapefruit flavour with an intriguing touch of bitterness on the finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will hold for 2 – 3 years.
Food Pairing: Chinese egg drop soup, Thai mini lettuce wraps with shrimp, creamy chicken and orzo bake, duck a l’orange, and lobster ravioli.
BELLA TERRA RED, 2018
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%)
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 800
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy nose of blackcurrant and black plum.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, ripe currant flavour with well-integrated oak and supple tannins.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be enjoyed now but will reward cellaring for a year or two.
Food Pairing: Smoky cedar-planked burger with jalapeño-cilantro mayo, chipotle chicken quesadillas, spaghetti and vegetarian meatballs, beef fajitas, and sliced pork belly with honey garlic sauce.
BELLA TERRA SPARKLING BRUT, 2020
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Ontario
Varietal: Vidal Blanc
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 11.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Pale gold colour. Active mousse of small bubbles.
Nose: Toasty, saline nose with a mineral note.
Palate: Light-bodied, dry, green apple and lemon flavours. Good length.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Deep fried mushrooms with garlic aioli, sheet pan shrimp boil, spicy Indian butter chicken, fish and chips, and bread pudding with homemade custard.
BELLA TERRA PINOT NOIR, 2018
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 125
Appearance: Ruby with a tawny hue.
Nose: Lifted, candied raspberry nose with oak spice and a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted cherry and red plum flavours. Round on the palate but finishes firmly. Lovely mouthfeel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Salmon with roasted shiitakes and mushroom sauce, smoked pulled pork, grilled calamari salad, miso-tahini squash soup, and steak and potatoes skillet with garlic butter.
BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY SUR LIE, 2021
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 5.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: White flowers, stone fruit, yellow apple, pear, hint of pineapple.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Stone fruit, green apple, citrus, orange rind.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Spicy fish taco bowls with mango pico, honeycrisp apple pizza with balsamic onions, pecan-crusted chicken, lobster pot pie, and pork piccata with sautéed spinach.
BELLA TERRA MERLOT, 2020
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 14.9%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Violets, black cherry, blackberry, green pepper, black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Black cherry, blackcurrant, green pepper, earth, savoury green herbs, black pepper.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Buffalo chicken pizza, pumpkin and bacon pasta with garlic crumbs, filet mignon with chive butter, baked penne with roasted vegetables, and pulled pork rolls with apple and radish coleslaw.
BELLA TERRA SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Corus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 6.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: White flowers, melon, green apple, gooseberry, fresh green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, light- to medium-bodied. Melon, gooseberry, hint of citrus zest, fresh green herbs.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+.
Food Pairing: Pesto penne with chicken and tomatoes, spicy fish curry, lemon braised chicken, grilled pork chops with garlic mashed potatoes, and mussels in white wine sauce.
BELLA TERRA CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 14.9%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 400
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Black cherry, blackcurrant, green pepper, black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Black cherry, blackcurrant, plum, green vegetal note, hint of green herbs, black tea, black pepper.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Lamb gyros with tzatziki, honey BBQ chicken kabobs, vegetarian lasagna with portobello mushrooms and eggplant, beef sloppy Joe’s, and oven-baked spare ribs.
BELLA TERRA VIOGNIER, 2020
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Clear, bright. Straw colour.
Nose: Orange blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle, pear, red apple, hint of apricot.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Stone fruit, orange rind, baking spice.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. A luscious and unctuous mouthfeel.
Food Pairing: Teriyaki tofu, poached salmon with dill sour cream, tomato and chickpea curry, baked crab macaroni and cheese, and Swiss cheese fondue.
BELLA TERRA MERITAGE, 2020
Bella Terra Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (40%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Malbec (10%)
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyards Estate
Alcohol: 14.9%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 350
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Violets, dark cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, baking spice, black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, blackcurrant, green pepper, savoury green herbs, dark chocolate, black pepper. Well balanced.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Chicken shawarma with garlic sauce, ratatouille, reverse sear cowboy steak, traditional Korean bibimbap, and grilled lamb chops with mint pesto.